Guiao says locals’ performance a silver lining to ROS’ 0-5 start

Rain or Shine head coach Yeng Guiao found a silver lining as his local players continued to play well despite the team’s winless campaign so far in the 2023 PBA Commissioner’s Cup.

For the second straight game, an Elasto Painter recorded a career-high in scoring, first in Andrei Caracut who exploded for 35 points against Ginebra, and then Gian Mamuyac who had a 33-point performance in another close loss to San Miguel.

And it wasn’t the two alone. Guiao also saw some good contributions from Leonard Santillan, Jhonard Santillan, Anton Asistio, Rey Nambatac and even rookies Keith Datu and Adrian Nocum from time to time.

These performances keep Guiao in high spirit despite seeing themselves on a deep hole with a 0-5 record — the franchise’s worst start in an import-flavored conference.

“Our locals did a good job. I’m not really disappointed with the way our locals played. We had a chance to win the game again. One or two possessions in the end game. Pero pag natalo ka parang nanenegate yung effort na yun so in the dugout, I had to emphasize to them na to me this is still a good sign,” said Guiao after a 115-100 loss to SMB.

Apart from Rain or Shine’s loss to NorthPort, all of its games were close, only losing by an average margin of four points. The team could have been easily 4-1 if ROS only managed to pick a good import to reinforce the locals according to Guiao.

The Elasto Painters had Dajuan Summers in the first four losses before going for Demetreus Treadwell who had somewhat an underwhelming debut of just eight points, 15 rebounds and five assists.

“Yung limang talo namin di ko tatanggapin na locals ang naging dahilan. But nonetheless we are a team, we will try to fix the problem baka mayroon pang pag asa. Kung wala naman I’m really excited looking forward sa All Filipino,” said Guiao whose team now needs to sweep all of its six remaining games to be in contention for a playoff spot.

Guiao’s local crew could only get stronger with Datu showing up and the expected return to full health of another rookie big man in Luis Villegas.

“That’s what excites me now nakikita ko hindi yung locals ang dahilan at meron pang di kami nagagamit na malaking potential din na pwedeng idagdag sa lineup I think i guess that’s the silver lining sa clouds ngayon,” he added.